A fundraising group is hoping to create a new memorial for 18 people who were killed in a historic plane crash in Oxfordshire.

The 1957 Sutton Wick air disaster killed 18 people when an RAF Blackburn Beverley aircraft crashed near Drayton. 

Members of 53 Squadron and 47 Squadron, eight RAF police dog handlers and their animals died, as well as two people on the ground in the hamlet of Sutton Wick. 

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While a memorial was unveiled in 2016, a group called the Memorial Mob is now fundraising to restore and renew the space to honour the memory of those who died. 

A Memorial Mob spokesperson said a sign crafted by a local resident, who had himself served in the Royal Air Force, has become damaged by the weather. 

The team hope to restore this "wonderful memorial" and place it an indoor venue to protect it. 

Oxford Mail: Locals pay their respects on the 60th anniversary of the disaster Locals pay their respects on the 60th anniversary of the disaster (Image: Damian Halliwell)

The group also hopes to build a new stone memorial, and add to the memorial garden on the green. 

"The stone would feature the names of the local residents tragically killed and injured as well as the RAF crews from both 53 Squadron and 47 Squadron Royal Air Force," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said they would like to have a new memorial in place before 2027 which would be 70 years since the disaster.